Indicating device for ascertaining speed.



h F. FAIGLE. n INDh'JTING DEVICE FOR ASCERTAINING SPEED.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l5. 1912.

Pmenfodm. 29,101.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. F. FAIGLL INDICATING4 DEVIC FUR ASCERTAINING SPEED.

Patennfd Aug. 29, l1916.

APPLICATION IILED OCT. I5, 1912.

'3 rSHEETS-SHEET 2.

F'. FAIQLE. INUICA'I'ING DEVICE FOR` ASCERTAINING SPEED.

y y APPLICATION FILED OCI'- 15; IQIZ.;4 y 1,196,450. Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i To all ilzhm t 'may concern: `1 Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH FRIEDRICH raisins, ennemi, iii-:ali BREenNz, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

miiicarme DEVICE For. ascnnraiivme SPEED.

FAIGLE, a

subject of, the Emperor 'of Germany, resid- 14'ingat Hard, nearregenz, Austria-Hun-` xgary, havev invented new and useful Im-- "'pro'vemeiits in Indicating Devices for As-` -certainiiig Speed; and I Adoliereloy declareA 1 theffollowing to bela "full, clear, andgexact 1 appertains` to make and'usethe same, srefereiice beinghad to the accompanying drawn description 1o,',th'e invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it """ings, aiid to letters or gures of reference marked thereon, which formv a part of this specification.' 1

" There are existing apparatus for indicatyf'inf optically and acoustically-the speed of ve i cles and stationary machines, in' which j" the'speed isdirectly indicated by the add ication being given when a pre-determined' jus'tment of an element by means of centrifugally operating devices, said speed in- 'i fspeed has been exceeded; or such apparatus give only groups of speeds, or the resultant l speeds, within `comparatively Ilarge limits. In none of these existing de-V .vices is it possible to ascertain exactly thel yspeed existing .for the time being. Alsothe majority of these indicating devices indicate from one side only.

' The object of this invention is to provide faiiiimproved signaling device by the aid of j. which the foregoing objections are avoided.

*Accoidii'ig to this invention I provide'` means for producii'igr successive indications` or signals proportional to the 'speed ofthe Imachine, the relation of which to the time "required for producing them permits lthe 'l exact speed at any time to be computed or ascertained. The mechanism ,is suchv that*v p the openings are divided in an inner and an ,f like successive intervals oiu time seri-'e as obfj" servation periods for the indications, so that from the number of indications in a.. period "fof'findication' the speed maybe calculated or determined. The device is constructed so `j l. 'that units of distances of travel or like numbers of rotation are distinguished. by causing 'one signal to extend overor continuefor an The duration of the @igual can be detera ion with the signal.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

hereinafter `be fully explained.

are illustratedby way of example.

Figure 1 is a. Vertical section showing a first form of construction, of which Fig. 2 is aL side elevation. Fig.'3 is a horizontal `section and Fig. 4a further vertical section through the same.- Fig. 5 is a. detailyiew. Figs. 6 and r7 show a yaried form of some details. Fig. Seis a vertical section, illustrating a seconde iorni` of construction, Fig 9 is a 'side elevation of the same.' Figs. l@ and 11 are sections on lines A-B and C-D `respectively of Fig. 8." Figs. 1Q. and 13 show parts of the construction. Figs.' 14k and 15 show another form of construction. 16 and 17'show a varied form of partsof the1 construction. Fig. 18 shows a modification-0f Fig. 1L

All illustrated -the device are supposed automobile. i i

In the form of construction of the device illustrated byI Figs. 1 to 7,111 designates a forms-of construction of to be used. on an casing of rectangular .cross-section, in 'the' front wall of which thereis provided a segment shaped opening 2. On the inside of y Patented aug. 2e, 191e. 1 Application filed October 15,1912. Serial lie-725,836.

In the accompanying drawings sever-al 1 1 Aconstructions according to this invention' yeo the front Wall ofthe casing 1 a circular 1ro-.

tatable disk 3 is mounted on a shaft 4 horizontally supported in the'casifng. The disk hasan opening 5 which corresponds With-i theopening of the casing 1. The shaft 4c issurrounded on a part of its length by a'l hollow shaft 6, which carries a circular disk 7 arranged behind they disk 3. The disk 7 has two openings. arranged side by side..

The size and `shape of each 'of these openings equals that of the openin'gs2 and 5 and outerfield.l In the outer fields of bothy openings therev are inserted plates which do not allow the passage o flight. The sides of the plates which are directed toward the disk 3 are painted with colors forming a striking contrast with each other. For instancethe plate 8 inserted in the router field of one 1 opening may be painted White and the plate 9 inserted in the outer .field ofthe other opendiierent 'colors whicliliy allow light ,to pass;

Aao

\ manner.

ver

One of these plates is formed by a usual pane 10 and the other by a red pane 11. (Fig. The colored plates 3 and ,9are :for indication by day andthe colored panes 10 and 11 for indicationA at night, and for the latter purpose there is provided a source of light behind the disk 7 on the level ofthe opening 2 of the casing l, which may be formed for example byV `an incandescent lamp 12;" The shaft 4; and the disk 3 are rotated at a speed which is proportional to the ed of the vehicle or the stationary machine to be observed. In the construction shown, the shaft may be suitably impelled for instance from one of the iront wheels of the car by means of a flexible shaft 13 and bevel gears 142 111. The shaft 6 and `dislt 7 are intermittmgl rocked from a clock work 15` arranged wit in the casing 1 by means of an arm .16 on the shaft 6, which arm is movedby the clock Work in a suitable ment is dimensioned so, ,that at the end of each motion to and fro alternately the one and the other opening of the disk 7. that means one time the fields 8 and 10 and the `other time the lields 9 and 11 are behind the openin 2 of the casing,A 1. In each of these positions the disk 7 is detainedby a leaf spring 7 which thenfengages notches 7 in the periphery of the disk (Figs. 1 and 2),` Besides the described means for producing optical signals foi indication by day and at night the device is providedwith means for producing acoustic signals. These Alatter means consist of two bells 17 and 18 of different sounds which are fastened on a rod 19. The rod 19 is carried by arms 20 pivotally attachedto the casing 1, and is pro vided on its lower end with a roller 21 Fig. 4); A leaf spring 22 acting on one o the arms tends always to press the roller 21 of rod 19w against the periphery of a cam 23 on the shaft 6 (Figs. 1 and 4:). l This cam which together with the disk 7 is intermittently rocked serves to raise and lower the rod 19 andthe bells 17 and 18 at the end of each movement to and fro whereby the bells alternately come within the range of a clapper 24. This clapper is moved proportional to the speed of the automobile and derives its motion from a cam disk 25 on the shaft 4. The clapper is mounted free to turn about an axle 26 and is pressed by a torsion spring-'27 against. a stop 28 `(Fig.` 5). In this position the clapper is out of contact with the bells and an arm 29 of theclapper provided with a roller projects in the course of a projection 30 of the cam disk 25. At each revolution of the shaft 4 this projection by acting on the arm 29 moves the clapmeente behind the opening 2 becomes clearly visible y as a suddenly appearing and suddenly dis. appearing optical signal, which forms a t striking contrast with the one'vcolored, for

This intermittent rocking move# example black or dark'gray front wall of the casing 1. At night these colored fields 8 and 9 are not visible. Then the incan descent lamp 12 is.cut in,'which is fed by a| source of current forexample by an electric battery on the automobile. In the moment in which the openings 2 and 5 coincide, an optical signalin form of a ray of light is sent by thelamp 12 through the openings. According to the red or white 'pane 10 or 11 o f the disk 7 being in frontoof the opening 2 of the casing 1, the signal will be seen as a red or white ray of light. The acoustic signals are produced at the same time as the optical signals by the clapper 24 striking at each revolution of the shaft 4 against the bell within its range.

ln order to ascertainthe speed of the car,

equal successive periods of` observations are distinguished from each other by optical and acoustic means. This is performed imparting each th second to theshaft 6 a sudden motion in theone or the other direction by means of the clockwork, so that for `this manner there are produced each lifth second subsequent red or white signals by day and red -or white rays of light at night, which signals are singly perceived by the observer and may be counted. Moreover there are alternately; produced every five seconds subsequent high and deep bell signals, which will be heard by the driver, the passengers and persons without the car, and may be counted bly them. y

According as the automobile drives fast or slow the number of revolutions of the disk 3 andthe number of strokes of the clapper 24 and therewith the number of the produced opticl and acoustic signals of the same kind withih one period of observation,` that means during five seconds, is great or small. lt is possible therefore to ascertain the speed of the car from the number of optical and acoustic signals of the saine kind The i ca" ljections and the disk 31 has four notchesr produced within one period of observation and from the coeilicient representing the mechanical ratio of gearing between the shaft 4 and the part of the automobile, for example a front Wheel, which impels this shaft.

` ln the. described form ofconstruction the shaft 6 and disk 7 maybe interrnittingly moved in the samedirection instead of being directions. For this purpose the device is Sil `which are 'displaced 90.

In the casing 33 there `is rotatably arranged* Y a. hollow cylinder 35, which is provided with y provided with' a vertical cylindrical casing 33 which is provided -with'four openings34,

four'openings 36, the size and arrangement of which corresponds with those ofthe openings 34 (Figs. 10 and 12). A second hollow cylinder 37 is rotatably arranged within the hollow cylinder' 35, which is provided with eight openings shaped as the openings 34 and 36, each openin bein vdivided in two fields arranged one a ove t e other. In the yupper fields of the o enings .there are inserted'panes 38, 39 a ternately of-diierent for producing optical signals visible at;`

colors, allowinglightto pass, for example red and green ones, and in thek lower fieldsthere are' insertedplates 40, 41 which do not allow the passageV of light andv are painted onthe vouter sides directed toward vthe-hollow cylinder with colors forming a striking contrast with eachother, .for example alternately white and red. The panes '38, 39 and theplates 40, 41 are arranged so` with regard'to each other, that there is always a white plate 40j below a Yred pane 38 and a red plate 4-1 below a green pane 39.

`Also in this form ofconstruction thecolored plates are' for producing optical signals visible by daylight and the colored' panes are night. For thisV latter purpose a source of light,`for example an incandescentlamp 42 isarranged withinthe hollow.l cylinder 37 on the level of the panes 38, 39 which lamp is fed by a source of current arranged withff out the casing 33 for example by anelectric titi battery on the automobile or the machine.

`The cylinders 35 and 37 are open on the top .land closed on the bottom. At the lower ends @they are connected to hollow shafts 43; 44 v1f-"arranged one within theother, by means of v.which they maybe rotated about a fixed ver` machine. If mounted on an automobile ythe cylinder is ro- ;sk 31 is provided with diametrically -v is i tical axle 45. The cylinder 3 5 is continally rotated lfrom any rotating part/of thvehicle or the Y machine on which f the device is mounted,l at a speed which is propor-y tional to. the s eedpof the vehicle or the or lexample the device is tated from a front wheel of the automobile, suitably by means of a flexible shaft 46 and toothed wheels`47, 47",. The vcylinder 37 is ntermittingly rotated by means of toothed wheels 49, 49 from a clock work 48 arranged within the square lower part of the casing. The intermitting'motion of rotationof the 'cylinder37 is rated sothat at the end of each motion of rotation the fields 38, 40` or` f 39,441 are behind the openings 3G of the cylinder 35. Alsoin this form of construc-L tion the acoustic signals are produced by two rbells 50, 51 of different sounds and by a clapper 52 (Figs. 8,*11 and 12). The bells are" connected to one another by a screw 53,

by which theyare also secured' to thecylinder 37. lf, desired .the bells may' be yield- (Figs. 8 to 10).\'`

ingly connectedto the cylinder. Each bell is provided on its periphery with four kborf' ders, bywhich they project one in the other ywithout touching(Figs'. l1 and 12), so that the borders bf both`bells'50 and 51 alternate. AThe clapper 52 is moved four times by the cylinder 35 during one revolution ofr the latterfcorrespondin of openings' in'the cylinder. For this purpose a vring 54 ijs concentrically secured to the cylinder 35. f The ring is provided with fout' notches` 55 on its periphery which notches are displaced (Fig. 11). l The clapper 52 pivotally connected to the casing a spring56 against the periphery ofthe ring 54 (Fig. 11). Ifthe roller on the clapper engages one-of they notches 55, the cla per strikes on the border ofthe bell whic 'is within its range. Four soundfopening's 57 Lare provided in the casing 33fon theglevel ofthe bells 50, 511 and above-the' openingsy 57 there are inserted in the casing 33 four `vlocks having transparent .dial plates. f. Be-

tween the openings 57 and the clocks'the regulation number ofthe vehicle is arranged 'onffoursides in form of openings in the to the number v 33 is pressed bya roller under the action of casing. 60 deslgnates ak standard support-vv ing the ycasing 33. Inconsequence ofthe lighting by thel incandescent lamp positions of the handsof the clocks 58 and 4e the the regulation number mayberead at night@ vBut for ythis purpose there may be provided a special sourceof light.`

The device' operates as follows: Whenthe automobileis driven the cylinder 35 is rotated at a speed proportional to the speed of the automobile and'when'by the rotation, the openings 36 o f the cylinder 35 coincide with openings 34 in the stationary casing,

the lcolored fields 40 and 41 Ibehind the.pen-

colored fields form a striking contrast with, f

the outside of the casing which for example may be painted with a dark neutral color.

in, and red or green flashes of light will then become visible through the red or green panes 3S or 39 and through the coinciding openings 34 and 36. Simultaneously with 'the optical signals the clapper 52 strikesv against the bell within its range.

In order to ascertain the speed ofthe automobile, equal successive periods of observation are distinguished from each other by optical and acoustic means in the same Inanner as in the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7. A sudden motion of rotation is imparted each fifth second to the cylinder 37 from the clock work 4850 that during' five seconds the fields 38,40 and thereafter during five seconds the fields 39, 41 are .behind the openings 34 of the casing 38, and in the saniemanner the bell 50 having a high sound and thereafter the bell 51 having a deep sound are struck in successive live second periods by the clapper 52. In this manner there are produced alternating colored signals of lire seconds duration red or white by day and red or green flashes of light at night and simultaneously high or deep bell signals. These optical and acoustic signals will be singly perceived by the observer or the driver. and may be counted. By the number ofoptioal and acoustic signals of the same kind produced within one period of observation the speed of the automobile may be ascertained in the above described manner.

` The last described form of construction possesses the advantage as compared lwith the forni of construction-shown in Figs. 1 to 7, that the optical signals are simultaneously sent in four directions, so that they are visible and may be counted from four different sides. The cylinder 35` could also be provided with a single opening 36, in which case the optical sivnals are not sent simultaneously` but one aller another in the four directions, whereat the. cylinder 35 would have to rotate at a. speed four times as large as before.V

The devices may be used besides for automobiles also for locomotives, tramcars, ships, airships, flying machines as we'll as for stationary machines, the speed of which is to be controlled and to be ascertained at large or small distances. The devices are suitably to be mounted at such places that the optical and acoustic signals may be i clearly perceived by the driver or other persons within or without the car, and that particularly the optical signals may be distinctlyand without hindranceperceived at relatively large distances by persons without the vehicle as Aby fcontrollers. i

The intermitting motion of the parts im` pelled by the clock work is performed so that the motion `proper does not require much time and that there are always stops (periods of observation); between themotions. These intermittin motions are suit ably produced by Ma tese gears. The parts impelled by the vehicle or the stationary machine rare constructed so` that they `can be moved as well bj? progressive motion or motion-1n one direction asby retrograde motlon or motion 1n the opposite direction. Besides the mentioned marks of distinction acting during the whole period of observation, as dillerent colors of the optical signals and different sounds of 'the acoustic signals, also the moments in which the periods of observation alternate may be marked by short optical or short acoustic signals.

The described forms` of constrllction act also ififhe 'clock work should fail, because the observer is able to ascertain by means of any chrononieter for example a watch, the number of optical or acoustic signals produced within one period of observation. The division of time of the device may also be controlled by a watch.

Fig. 14 isa vertical section and Fig. 15 a section on line F-F of Fig. 14. The outer cylinder 165 provided with four openings 164 is intermittingly rotated for example by' means of toothed wheels from a clock-work 167 arranged in the lower ,portion of the casing 166. rlfhe inner cylinder174 is continuallyor intermittingly. rotated also b Vmeans of toothed wheels and a flexible sbail 175 from one'of the front wheels of the car at a speed proportional to the speed of the. automobile.

' A source of light, for example an incandescent lamp 177 is xedly arranged in the cylind'er 174 on the level of the panes 170 and 171(` Bells 178, 179 of diierent sounds are secured to the rotatable inner cylinder 174. Acain ring 172 mounted on the outer cylinder 165 actuates the clapper 173. When the `automobile is driving the cylinder 174 is 4 This cylinder basin its lower part eight fields 168 and 169 alternatel of continually or intermittingly rotated proportieal to the traveling speed. When by this :otation the openings 164 inthe outer cylinder coincide with the openings 176'of the stationary casing, the 1 red and white fields 168 land 169 become alternately visible by day through thecoinciding openings, and

lred and bluelight signalsy are alternately' sent butward at night 'through the panes'170 and 171. Simultaneously the bell 178 with a .clear sound andthe bell 179 with 'a deep sound are ,alternately struck by the clapper 173 actuated by`the clock-Work 167. The ratio of gearing the inner cylinderk 174: may be chosen so, that for example each ten meters passed by the carthe color of the voptical signals is altered and one of the bells is struck. i f j The illustrated ork described forms of construction may ofcourse be used not only for automobiles, but also for other `vehicles as locomotives, ships, `flying machines, and the like, as Well as stationary machines, as steam engines, turbines, and the'like. Inthe latter case the opticaland .acoustic signals are always changed after Ya distinct, constant number of revolutions of the machine. With vehicles equal units of WayV and with stationary machines equal numbers or units of revolutions are, distinguished from each other by optical and acoustic signals so that the speed of the vehicle4 crof the stationary machine can be ascertained by the duration of a signal representing a unit of Way or of revolutions.

y In the form of construction according to Figs. 14 and 15 the changingof the sound of the bells and the moving of the clapper4 may be performed by the clock-work instead` of the vehicle or the stationary machine. In `this case the clapper 4is moved always at I'small intervals, 'for example every vsecond and the sound is changed atrelatively large intervals for, example every ten seconds, while the optical devices are moved by the vehicle or the stationary machine and indicate units of Wayor of revolutions, so that the times/are perceived by the ear and simul-v taneously the distances or numbers of revolutionsby the sight. By' the ratio of the time and the corresponding distance o number of revolutions the speed of the ved.

" hicle or the stationary machine can be ascertained. In an analogous manner large or small periods may be optically distinguisbfed from another by means actuated by the clock- Worin and large or small units of Way. o'r of' revolutions. may be distinguished from .anf

other by acoustic means operated by thevehicle or the stationary machine. In this latter casethespeed can be ascertained by'simultaneously perceiving `'the time by the sight and the corresponding distances or numbers of revolutions by the ear.

The signaling device accordingto this invention can be constructed otherwise than described. Forr example a casing may be provided which is furnished with at least lar intervals a movable member having an opening correfields, a lamp-adjacentthe second'movable membensaid openingsand fieldsA arranged one'source of'light and `at least one opening or twoA diametrically located openings of :different ycolors forindicationat nightfor y with two opposite outer Walls painted with different colors for indication by,A day. This casing isrotatedy bythe vehicle or the stai tionary machine proportional to their speed.

The ratio` of time and vvay, whichgeiipresses speed is represented according ,to this invention either by the numberlof'units 75 of Way or of revolutions per unit of time, or by the number ofy units' of .time per unitjozf ivay or of revolutions.

The described forms of construction'mayf' be; varied Widely without .departing from the 8c spirit of my invention.. *i

' y1. In a speed indicator, means to producex a succession of signals dependent upon fand variable with the speed' of the vehicle,}and means to produce during said signals .siiccessive signals independent of the first nals and at regular intervals under allco'iiditions ofoperation.

2.,-In a" speed indicator, means ing aseries of opticalfsignalsin accordance with the speedk being indicated, and`-nieans to simultaneouslyiproduce audible signalsl at regular intervals under all conditions of operation.

3. In a speed indicator, a casing, means therein to produce a series of optical signals at intervals proportionate to the speed to be indicated, means in said casing to produce signals at regular intervals, and a clock- Work operating as the 'actuating means for the production of saidv signals at regular intervals. el. In a speed indicator, a casing having an opening therein, a shutter arranged to pass'said opening, and mechanism to move said shutter in proportion with the speed being indicated, a clock-Work in said casing and signal producing means operated by said clock-work to produce signals at regui 5., In a speed indicator 1n combination2 a i stationary casing having an opening therein,

sponding to that in `the casing, said member vbeing within. the casing and coperating therewith, a second movablepmembler coperating with said first movable member and casing and having ktvvo transparent color to-comeinto register, means to'move one of the movable membersproportionate to the speed ofthe machine' to be indicated,and -a lock-work tomove the othermnvable memer. l

6: In a speed yindicator in'combination, a casing havingan opening therein, a movable element said casiughaving an. opening therein corres-poni" te c peni; g in the 130.

casing, a second movable element in the casing having a pair of differently colored transparent elds, a lamp beyond said second element arranged to send light through said transparent fields and openings when in register, means to move one of said elements proportionally to the speed of the machine'to be indicated, and a clockwork to move'the `.other element.

7. In a speedindicator in combination, a

' stationary casing having an opening therein,

a rotatable element therein also having an opening, a clock mechanism to drive said element, a second rotatable element in said casing and Within the first element, heying at least two pairs of elds, the elds of each pair `consisting of a transparent field and an adjacent non-transparent field, each pair of fields arranged to register 'with said openings, and means to drive said second element proportionately to the speed to be indicated. M

8. In a speed indicator in combinatioma stationary cylindrical casing having a series of peripheral openings therein, a rotatable cylindrical member therein having peripheral openings therein corresponding to those in the casing, a clockwork to drive said member, a second cylindrical member Withmeente in the first member and having anon-trailsVA parent field and a superposed transparent field corresponding to each opening 1n the casing, said second member driven from the machine Whose speed is to be indicated, and a light Within the casing and second mehr ber to Villumine the transparent elds at v night.

9. In a speed indicator, the combination -With a casing having a sight opening therein, two rotatable members within the casing, one of said members having an opening ar ranged to periodically register with said sight opening and the other Vmember provided with one or more colored elds arranged to periodically register with said A 

